Philosophy for A2: Unit 4 Philosophical Problems

Philosophy for A2: Unit 4 is the definitive textbook for students of thecurrent AQA Advanced Level syllabus for philosophy. Structured very closely around the AQA specifications for Unit 4: Philosophical Problems, Michael Lacewing helps students to engage with and understand the arguments of the five key texts: Hume's An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding Plato's The Republic Mill's On Liberty Descartes' Meditations Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil. All chapters are helpfully subdivided into short digestible passages, and include: quiz questions to test core knowledge discussion questions to deepen understanding 'going further' sections for advanced study text boxes highlighting key definitions and arguments cross-references to help students make connections. In addition, a chapter on exam preparation contains a wealth of helpful hints and tips on revision and exam techniques. Written by an experienced philosopher and A Level consultant, Philosophy for A2: Unit 4 is an essential companion for all students of A2 Level philosophy.

Introduction Ch. 1 Hume’s An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding I. Empiricism II. Cause and effect III. Free will Ch. 2 Plato’s The Republic I. Appearance and reality II. Knowledge and Virtue III. Political rule Ch. 3 Mill’s On Liberty I. Democracy II. Freedom of the individual (I) III. Freedom of the individual (II) and Individual development IV. Applications Ch. 4 Descartes’ Meditations I. Certainty II. Mind and body III. God Ch. 5 Nietzsche’s Beyond Good and Evil I. Scope of philosophy II. Nature of morality III. Religious belief Ch. 6 Preparing for the exam Glossary

Michael Lacewing is Director of Research and Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Heythrop College, University of London. He is founder of the company A Level Philosophy, and a consultant on philosophy at A Level for the British Philosophical Association.